Airline blankets

I would go to a "dollar" store and get a fleece throw for 5 bucks rather then an expensive one. That way you could ditch it without guilt if you overshop and don't have room to bring it back. LOL

Another point is not to waste the money or space , and just use whatever they give you around your torso and legs, and wear a comfy warm sweater or jacket as to cuddle around your face.

Ellen,

You should be presented with a new or freshly drycleaned blanket in sealed plastic. If it is not, request a sealed one. It's pretty much standard procedure now. Ask or check if others got sealed blankets. If it wasn't sealed, it might still be fresh but sealed is your only true guarentee. A quick visual inspection usually tells all.

If you carry your own micro-fibre towel, like Rick's, you could cover with it. Just bear in mind that Airline blankets are by law, specially treated to be flame retardent. In a fire, other non-treated blankets will burn and could melt onto your skin. So check for flame retardency, if you BYOB.
If blankets are sold rather than lent, the majority cost around 2 or 3 bucks and are yours to keep. If you don't want to lug it along with you, just leave it on the Aircraft. The Groomers will gradly take them home. I'm not sure why they collect these, but for some reason they are happy to scoop them up!

Safe Skies,

F/A

You should receive a blanket sealed in plastic. That's the only way to know if they have been cleaned before you got them. I've never been given one that wasn't in a bag, actually, and I've flown several different airlines on international flights. I'm not sure what would be different about the Eagle Creek blanket, but you can get fleece travel blankets inexpensively at places like Target.

Ellen- I just flew United over and Lufthansa back from Europe a few weeks ago. I got a folded blanket that was not in plastic. I had just read about this on the RS website before I left in September. I thought about that as I unfolded my blanket....

FlightAttendent, you are very idealistic, and I mean thatin a good way, but I have recievced blankets that are not sealed, and I have also been on flights, where they have run out of blankets .

I think if a blanket matters alot to one they should a) ask for one soon as they board
Or
b) bring one from home.

Sure, that could happen...it's always a possibility. And I must say that not ALL Airlines seal their blankets, but most are moving toward that trend. So please, no one raise the issue with the Crew if their policy is not to seal their blankets...
That's perhaps one more reason why some Airlines sell them now. Suddenly when they cost a few bucks people can get by with one or two blankets and not ask for three or four each...
I always hated collecting up used blankets (before they were available for purchase.) It was a lot like picking up used tissues from sick passengers with your bare hands. So the idea of selling them made us pretty happy!

Another idea is to dress in removable layers so you don't necessarily feel the need for a blanket? The aft Cabin is always cooler/draftier. You'll always notice the F/A's in the "back of the bus" (Airbus) They're usually bundled up in a sweater while the forward positions are running around in shirt sleeves!

On my last flight overseas I recieved a "sealed" blanket. But after trying to snuggle up for a few hours of sleep I noticed very long blonde hairs all over it (not mine, I'm the complete opposite with short black hair). Is it possible that some airlines refold them and seal them up without washing them first?

I'll be bringing along a small blanket from home this time. It's seems to be worth it considering it's hard enough to get comfortable on a 9 hour flight as it is.

Blankets are sent out to a central processing plant to be drycleaned and sealed by the company at the factory. Flight Crew would have no way to reseal the plastic bags as they are heat sealed.
If you had used the blanket for a few hours of sleep, is it possible that the hair was transfered from the seat rather than from the blanket? I'm no CSI expert but I'd imagine that could be a possibility. Especially since it was in a sealed plastic bag. Unless it happened at the Cleaners?

If you BYOBlanket, check for flame retandant properties. It's best not to wash it with liquid fabric softener as warnings on these products state it may increase flammability.

Airline blankets are rated by Federal law to be flame retardant. They are chemically treated at the factory and at each drycleaning. Ordinary blankets may not be flame retardant. In a Fire Emergency they will actually melt onto your skin. That's why it's a law that they must be treated.
It's all about safety!

Safe Skies,

F/A

Ellen, on one of our Luft flights my wife was given a blanket (wraped in a un-sealed plastic bag) that was covered in ..........vomit. Boy, did she get special treatment after that...........

OMG! That is shocking! I am truly embarrased by this inexcusable lack of professionalism! This clearly should not have happened...So much for Health & Safety Inspections! I can guarentee that F/A was "written up" for that one!

...I'm glad to hear that you feel you were adequately compensated. A good "save" by the Lufties!

Safe Skies,
F/A